State trooper, rescue dogs honored for search

By Timothy Page on September 16, 2026 • ( Leave a comment )

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By VDC staff

A state trooper honored for her heroic 2024 rescue of an eight-year-old girl who had plunged through the ice into freezing waters is being honored again for her role, with five other troopers, in searching for a person with dementia suffering from hypothermia.

Michelle Archer will be among the many Vermont State Police honored with awards and promotions at the VSP’s Annual Awards Ceremony at 10 AM Friday, Sept. 18, in the House Chamber of the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier.

Scheduled speakers include Gov. Phil Scott, Commissioner of Public Safety Jennifer Morrison and Col. Shawn Loan, director of the state police. They will honor members of the agency and others for acts of heroism and community service, and recognize 25 sworn members of the state police and one public safety dispatcher who have received promotions since last year’s awards ceremony, in September 2025.

After the ceremony, formal photographs with the Vermont State Police Honor Guard and distinguished guests will take place.

The following individuals will receive awards and promotions:

Awards

Commissioner’s Award

Lt. Aron McNeil for his exceptional leadership of the Crime Scene Search Team.

Director’s Award

Sgt. Christian Hunt for 15 years of extraordinary leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication to Operation FireCuffs.

Division Commander’s Award

Senior Sgt. Eugene Duplissis for more than a decade of exceptional leadership, innovation, and unwavering dedication to advancing officer safety and lifesaving capabilities throughout the Vermont State Police.

William Chenard Search and Rescue & Lifesaving Award

Nikki Gammon, Donna Larson, Stella Richards, and Jennifer Vaughan from North Country Search Dogs for their response to a call reporting a missing person with dementia April 13, 2025.

Lifesaving Award

Sgt. Charlotte Hartman, Trooper Michelle Archer, Trooper Richard Berlandy, Trooper David Lambert, Trooper Jesse Nash, and Trooper Benjamin Weed for their actions April 13-14, 2025, for their response to a call for a missing person with dementia who was suffering from severe hypothermia.
Sgt. Justin Walker for his actions on Aug. 27, 2025, when he responded to a residential structure fire and assisted in extricating a resident from the home.
Trooper Ian Alford for his actions Sept. 23, 2025, when he responded to a single-vehicle crash and aided a severely injured woman.
Trooper Casey Harkins and Trooper Benjamin Weed for their actions Dec. 31, 2025, when they responded to a report that a man had cut himself and was heavily bleeding.
Trooper Quincy Chandler, Trooper Shawn Cavic and Hazmat Technician Samantha Slayton for their actions responding to a single-vehicle crash where a woman was trapped under the vehicle.
Trooper Dalton Maenpaa and Trooper Ryan Underhill for their actions June 3, 2026, when they responded to a report of a woman acting erratically suspected of suffering from an overdose.
Trooper David Hastings and Christopher Kasmarek for their actions on Aug. 2, 2026, when responding to a report of a man who had been shot.

Promotions

Major